Machine tool



Jun 3(0), 1936. E. D. VANCl L ET AL MACHINE TOOL 2 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed June 30, 1932 9 w v? W1 J q 6 Z I Fume M, 11936 E. D. VANCIL ET AL MACHINE TOOL Filed June 50, 1932 2 Sheets-SheeLZ Patented June 30, 1936 PATET @FFIQE MACHINE TOOL Edgar D. Vancil and Frederick S. Haas, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignors to Cincinnati Grinders Incorporated, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 30, 1932, Serial No. 620,216

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in machine tool structures and especially to improvements in means for lubricating the bearings of rapidly rotating spindles or shafts.

An object of the invention is the provision of improved means for supplying a quantity of lubricant to the spindle or shaft bearings prior to the rotation of the said shaft or spindle and prior to the operation of the normal lubricating mechanism.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a lubricant storage compartment or well that is normally filled by the lubricating mechanism and which well is normally sealed to the release of the lubricant therein, but which lubricant may be released at will.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a well in which is trapped a quantity of lubricant that is readily released therefrom prior to the operation of the member to be lubricated.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and it is to be understood that any modifications may be made in the exact structural details there shown and described within the scope of the appended claims without exceeding or departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational View of a centerless grinding machine embodying the improvements of this invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the grinding wheel and its spindle as seen from line 22 on Figure 1. a

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view through the wheel head showing the final lubricant'supply well as seen from line 3-3 on Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through the lubricant storage well illustrating the releasing mechanism as seen from line 4- i on Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view through i the cover on the head as seen from line 55 on motion from different parts of the assembly to other parts thereof as well as for operating tools and the like. These shafts are frequently rotated at high speeds, which is especially true of spindles utilized for rotating cutting tools such as the grinding wheel of a grinding machine. These machine tools and other assembles frequently include means for circulating a suitable lubricant to the numerous bearings thereof, which lubricant is drained by gravity after being used to a sump or tank for re-circulation by the circulating means. These machines and other assemblies are generally completely shut down over night, which necessarily means that the lubricating system is likewise inoperative so that the lubricant previously supplied to the parts of the machine is drained by gravity to the sump or tank by the time it is desired to again utilize the machine. From this it will be seen that the shafts and other parts are frequently without lubricant at the time of re-starting thereof and since the lubricating'system has completely drained to reservior, a certain period of time is necessary before the system is again in satisfactory operation. It is during this time of bringing the lubricating system into complete operation that the shafts and bearings are scored or seized due to the lack of lubrication at these points. By this invention this need of lubrication is taken care of. While this invention is illustrated in connection with a centerless type grinding machine it is to be understood that it has equal application to other types of machine tools having .a rapidly rotating spindle or shaft.

Accordingly, the machine illustrated in the drawings comprises a bed l0 having mounted on the upper surface thereof the opposed grinding and regulating wheels II and I2. One of these wheels is mounted for movement toward and from the other. As here shown this movement is imparted to the regulating wheel, which has its spindle, not shown, journaled in the head I3 secured to the slide l4. An adjusting screw I5 is provided for accomplishing the movement having its threaded end received in a nut mounted in the slide I4 and its other end journaled in a bracket it carried by the bed.

The grinding wheel H is secured in the usual manner to the tapered nose I! of a spindle l8 journaled in a pedestal support l9 rising upwardly from the bed 10. At each end of the spindle 18 the pedestal l9 furnishes bearings 20 and 21 formed as shown in Figure 3, of a plurality of bearing shoes 22, 23 and 24. In order to rotate the spindle 18 it has secured to it midway of its length and interiorly of the pedestal H! a pulley mediate the chamber 28 and chambers 32.

or sheave 25 having formed circumferentially thereof a plurality of V-shaped grooves, each receiving a V-type belt 26 that extends interiorly of the bed III to a suitable jack shaft, countershaft or the like, as is usual practice and not shown in the drawings.

The pedestal l9 has secured to it what may be termed a bearing cap 21 that extends substantially the full length of the pedestal and carries the bearing shoes 23 and 24. The cap 21 is provided midway of its length with a chamber 28 at each end of which is formed a rib 29 and 30. The chamber 28 has extending from it on opposite sides a pipe or tube 3| which empties into chambers 32. There are two chambers 32, one above each of the bearings 26 and 2| wherefor it is deemed sufficient if but one of them be described in detail.

The chamber 32 has extending through its forward wall a duct or port 33 which connects with a port 34 having secured therein a nozzle 35. The nozzle 35 is in a passage or opening 35 that is aligned with the break between the bearing shoes 23 and 24. In other words, the lubricant flows by gravity through the pipe 3| from the chamber 28 into the chamber 32 where it again empties by gravity through the ports 33 and 34 and the nozzle 35 to the bearing shoe 24 for uniform distribution along the bearing portion of the spindle. In order to control the flow of the lubricant through the nozzle 35 the port 34 has entering it a screw type valve 31 which may be adjusted to control the flow of the lubricant.

As shown in Figure 2, the upper end of the passage 36 is closed by a window or sight cover 38 whereby the flow of the lubricant may be readily observed by the operator.

The lubricant is supplied to the chamber 28 by a suitable circulating pump connected with a pipe 39 which has its one end secured to the end of a port or channel 45 formed in a cover plate 4| which is secured to the bearing cap 21. The port 46 feeds transverse ports or channels 42 and 43 as well as a vertically disposed port 44, shown in Figure 4. The port 44 empties into the chamber 28 while the transverse ports 42 and 43 each empty into vertical ports 45 and 46, which are disposed above chambers 41 and 48 formed inter- Extending from the chambers 41 and 48 are return channels 49 which terminate in the sump or tank for returning the excess lubricant thereto.

The foregoing description deals with the normal lubricating circulating system for normally lubricating the spindle bearings 20 and 2| during operation of the machine. As was pointed out above, the lubricant after being used on the bearings is drained by gravity to the sump or tank for re-circulation through the system. Therefore when the machine is shut down, all lubricant is in time drained to the sump or tank so that upon starting up of the mechanism after an over night shut down, for example, an insufficient volume of lubrication is had at the spindle bearings resulting in a scoring of the spindle or a seizing thereof by the bearings within a short time after the initial operation of the machine. To avoid this condition the cover plate 4! has mounted thereon a lubricant well for containing a supply of lubricant which may be delivered to the spindle bearings prior to the operation of the machine.

For this purpose the cap 4! has formed therein a relatively shallow counterbore 56 in which is positioned a gasket 5| for supporting a glass tube 52 that forms the lubricant reservoir or well. The cap 4| is further provided with a second counterbore 53 through the base of which is provided tapped perforations for tubes 54 and 55 which extend upwardly into the glass container 52. Each of the tubes 54 and 55 are in communication with the transverse port or channel 40, the former by way of a restricted opening 55 and the latter through an unrestricted opening. Secured centrally of the counterbore 53 is a sleeve 51 which passes through the port or channel 45 and beyond the inner wall of the head 4| into the channel 28. A nut 58 is secured to the projecting end of the sleeve 51 for securing same in an upright position centrally of the well 52. The sleeve is reduced at the point where it intercepts the channel 40 so that a passage for the lubricant is provided therearound to feed the downwardly extending duct 44 and the channel 28. The sleeve 51 is further provided with relatively deep counterbores entering from each end thereof and providing between them a guiding portion 59.

Extending through the sleeve 51 and guided by the portion 59 is a rod or stem 60 having formed on one end the valve head 6| having the tapered valve surface 62 co-operating with a valve seat formed on the lower end of the sleeve 51. Secured to the upper end of the stem 60 is a knob 33 pinned thereto by the pin 64 and adapted to be I manually engaged to depress the stem 58 and remove the valve 6l from its seat.

The well 52 is closed at its upper end by a cap 65 being threaded to the threaded upper end or the sleeve '51. Interposed between the upper end of the well 52 and cap 65 is a gasket 66 which is water tight to prevent escape of the lubricant from the well. Surrounding the stem 6!} within the counterbore at the upper end of the sleeve 51 is a spring 61 abutting on one end with the seat formed by the counterbore and on the other end with the knob 63. This knob 63 is provided with a depending flange 68 adapted to telescope with a lug 69 upstanding from the cap 65 upon depression of the stem 60 through the knob 63. Near the bottom of the lubricant well or reservoir the sleeve is pierced with one or more ports 18 which connect the lower counterbore of the sleeve with the well for draining the lubricant from the well when the valve is removed from its seat.

The operation of the device is as follows: During the normal operation of the machine as above described, lubricant is supplied by way of the pipe 39 to the port or channel 40 and down port or channel 44 to the chamber 28. During flow of the lubricant through these ports it passes the restricted opening 56 to the tube 54. The lubricant is slightly restricted in its flow by the reduced portion of the sleeve 51 where it intercepts the port 40. This causes a backing up of the lubricant at this point and a consequent slight increase in pressure whereby the lubricant is forced upwardly through the tube 54 into the Well or container 52. This flow of the lubricant through the tube 54 continues until the upper level thereof is reached which is also the level of the tube 55 whereupon the lubricant above this level flows by gravity through the tube 54 down through the down port 44, above which it is mounted, for discharging the lubricant into the chamber 28. It is to be understood that at this time the spring 61 is holding the valve 6| to its seat to prevent any discharge of the lubricant through the port 10, formed through the sleeve 51 at a point at the base of the well, into the counterbore in the lower end of the sleeve 51. Prior to the starting of the spindle or other shaft of the assembly the knob 63 is manually engaged and depressed against the resistance of the spring 61 thereby removing the valve Bl from its seat and permitting a flow by gravity of the lubricant within the well or container 52 through the port 70 into the chamber 28 from whence it flows through the usual ports and channels to the spindle bearings.

In order to render it unnecessary for the operator to hold the knob down and the valve from its seat until the container or well is completely emptied and to prevent the immediate closing of the valve after the operator has opened it, the flange 68 of the knob 63 and the boss 69 of the cap 61 co-operate with one another to restrict the inflow of the air within the space defined by the flange -58 thereby causing the valve to slowly return to its seat. The parts are so formed that the time interval required for returning the valve to its seat will be sufficient to permit the normal lubricating circulating system to be operated in its normal fashion.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the class described the combination with a rotatable shaft and bearings therefor, of a lubricant supply line for normally supplying lubricant to the bearings, a lubricant reservoir, a connection between the supply line and reservoir for filling the reservoir from the supply line simultaneously with the supply of lubricant to the bearings, a valve for trapping a quantity of the lubricant in the reservoir controlling its flow therefrom, yieldable means for normally holding the valve to its seat, manually actuable means operable against the resistance of the spring to unseat the valve and release the lubricant in the reservoir to the bearings, and overflow means within the reservoir for discharging the excess lubricant from the reservoir back to the supply line and to the bearings.

2. In a device of the class described the combination with a rotatable shaft and bearings therefor, of a lubricant supply line for normally supplying lubricant to the bearings, a lubricant reservoir, a connection between the supply line and reservoir for filling the reservoir from the supply line simultaneously with the supply of lubricant to the bearings, a valve for trapping a quantity of the lubricant in the reservoir controlling its flow therefrom, yieldable means for normally holding the Valve to its seat, manually actuable means operable against the resistance of the spring to unseat the valve and release the lubricant in the reservoir to the bearings, overfiow means within the reservoir for discharging the excess lubricant from the reservoir back to the supply line and to the bearings, and means for retarding the closing of the valve after release of the lubricant from the reservoir to effect a time interval sufiicient to initiate the flow of the lubricant through the supply line.

3. In a mechanism of the class described for lubricating the bearings of rotating members prior to the lubrication thereof by the normal lubricating means the combination with normal lubricating means including a supply line, of a reservoir adapted to receive lubricant from the supply line, a valve closing the reservoir against discharge of the lubricant therefrom, manual means operable for releasing the lubricant in the reservoir to the bearings, yieldable means for returning the valve to its seat, means controlling the movement of the valve by the yielding means to provide a retarding time interval between the opening and closing thereof for effecting the operation of the normal lubricating means, and overflow means within the reservoir to discharge the excess lubricant in the reservoir to the bearings.

4:. In a device for lubricating the spindle bearings of a machine tool organization the combination of a head providing bearings for the spindle, a cover plate for the head providing bearings for the spindle, a cavity in the head forming a lubricant well, a supply conduit for the lubricant for delivering saidlubricant to the Well, the head having a port therein for delivering the lubricant from the well to the bearings, a reservoir secured to the head and having a connection with the supply conduit whereby it is filled simultaneously with the delivery of the lubricant to the well, and means for normally preventing discharge of the lubricant from the reservoir.

5. In a device for lubricating the spindle bearings of .a machine tool organization the combination of a head providing bearings for the spindle, a cover plate for the head providing bearings for the spindle, a cavity in the head forming a lubricant well, a supply conduit for the lubricant for delivering said lubricant to the well, the head having a port therein for delivering the lubricant from the well to the bearings, a reservoir secured to the head and having a connection With the supply conduit whereby it is filled simultaneously with the delivery of the lubricant to the well, means for normally preventing discharge of the lubricant from the reservoir, and overflow means associated with the reservoir to discharge excessive lubricant from the reservoir to the well.

6. In a device for lubricating the spindle bearings of a machine tool organization the combination of a head providing bearings for the spindle, a cover plate for the head providing bearings for the spindle, a cavity in the head forming a lubricant well, a supply conduit for the lubricant for delivering said lubricant to the well, the head having a port therein for delivering the lubricant from the well to the bearings, a reservoir secured to the head and having a connection with the supply conduit whereby it is filled simultaneously with the delivery of the lubricant to the well, releasable means normally preventing discharge of the lubricant from the reservoir, overflow means associated with the reservoir to discharge excessive lubricant from the reservoir to the well, and means for actuating the releasable means for thereby releasing the lubricant from the reservoir to the well and bearings.

7. In a lubricating mechanism for use with machine tool organizations for lubricating the bearings of a rotatable member thereof comprising a support and cap therefor co-operating to form bearings for the rotatable member, the cap having formed therein a lubricant well in which is formed a port for delivering the lubricant from the well to the bearings, valve means controlling the flow of lubricant through the port, a lubricant supply conduit for conveying lubricant to the head, additional ports in the head for conveying the lubricant from the supply conduit to the well, and a manually releasable reservoir connected with the well supply ports and adapted to receive lubricant from the supply line simultaneously with 7 the well.

8. In a lubricating mechanism for use with machine tool organizations for lubricating the bearings of a rotatable member thereof comprising a support and cap therefor co-operating to form bearings for the rotatable member; the cap having formed therein a lubricant well in which is formed a port for delivering the lubricant from the well to the bearings, valve means controlling the flow of lubricant through the port, a lubricant supply conduit for conveying lubricant to the head, additional ports in the head for conveying the lubricant from the supply conduit to the well, a manually releasable reservoir connected with the well supply ports and adapted to receive lubricant from the supply line simultaneously with the well, a valve for preventing discharge of the lubricant from the reservoir, and means associated with the valve for opening same whereby the lubricant may be released from the reservoir to the well and bearings prior to the supplying of lubricant through the conduit.

9. In a lubricating mechanism for use with machine tool organizations for lubricating the bearings of a rotatable member thereof comprising a support and cap therefor co-operating to form bearings for the rotatable member, the cap having formed therein a lubricant-Well in which is formed a port for delivering the lubricant from the well to the bearings, valve means controlling the flow of lubricant through the port, a lubricant supply conduit for conveying lubricant to the head, additional ports in the head for conveying the lubricant from the supply conduit to the well, a manually releasable reservoir connected with the well sup-ply ports and adapted to receive lubricant from the supply line simultaneously with the Well, a valve for preventing discharge of the lubricant from the reservoir, means associated with the valve for opening same whereby the lubricant may be released from the reservoir to the Well and bearings prior to the supplying of lubricant through the conduit, means for returning the valve to its seat after release of the lubricant therefrom, and means controlling the return of the valve to its seat to insure an adequate supply of lubricant prior to the flow of lubricant through the conduit.

10. In a lubricating mechanism for use With machine tool organizations for lubricating the bearings of a rotatable member thereof comprising a support and cap therefor co-operating to form bearings for the rotatable member, the cap having formed therein a lubricant Well in which is formed a port for delivering the lubricant from the well to the bearings, valve means controlling the flow of lubricant through the port, a lubricant supply conduit for conveying lubricant to the head, additional ports in the head for conveying the lubricant from the supply conduit to the well, a manually releasable reservoir connected with thewell supply ports and adapted to receive lubricant from the supply line simultaneously with the well, a valve for preventing discharge of the lubricant from the reservoir, means associated with thevalve for opening same Whereby the lubricant may be released from the reservoir to the well and bearings prior to the supplying of lubricant through the conduit and overflow meansfor discharging excess lubricant from the reservoir to the well simultaneously withthe supply of lubricant thereto by the supply line.

11. In a lubricating mechanism of the class described for lubricating the bearings of a rotating shaft the combination of a housing providing bearings for the shaft, a lubricant reservoir above the bearings, ports for supplying lubricant by gravity from the reservoir to the bearings, a lubricant circulating system for circulating the lubricant through the reservoir, ports and bearings, and a releasable valve for trapping a quantity of lubricant in the reservoir whereby the trapped lubricant is releasable by the valve to the ports and bearings prior to the operation of the normal lubricant circulating means.

12. In a lubricating mechanism of the class described for lubricating the bearings of a rotating shaft the combination of a housing providing bearings for the shaft, a lubricant reservoir above the bearings, ports for supplying lubricant by gravity from the reservoir to the bearings, a lubricant circulating system for circulating the lubricant through the reservoir, ports and bearings, a releasable valve for trapping a quantity of lubricant in the reservoir whereby the trapped lubricant is releasable by the valve to the ports and bearings prior to the operation of the normal lubricant circulating means, and valve means in the ports for controlling the flow of lubricant therethrough to the bearings.

13. In a lubricating mechanism of the class described for lubricating the bearings of a rotating shaft the combination of a housing providing bearings for the shaft, a lubricant reservoir above the bearings, ports for supplying lubricant by gravity from the reservoir to the bearings, a lubricant circulating system for circulating the lubricant through the reservoir, ports and bearings, a releasable valve for trapping a quantity of lubricant in the reservoir whereby the trapped lubricant is releasable by the valve to the ports and bearings prior to the operation of the normal lubr'cant circulating means, and manually operable means for actuating the valve toeffeet the release of the lubricant from the reservoir.

14. In a lubricating mechanism of the class described for lubricating the bearings of a rotating shaft the combination of a housing providing bearings for the shaft, a lubricant reservoir above the bearings, ports for supplying lubricant by gravity from the reservoir to the bearings, a lubricant circulating system for circulating the lubricant through the reservoir, ports and bearings, a releasable valve for trapping a quantity of lubricant in the reservoir whereby the trapped lubricant is releasable by opening of the valve to the ports and bearings prior to the operation of the normal lubricant circulating means, manually operable means for actuating the valve to eifect the release of the lubricant from the reservoir, yieidable means for returning the valve to its seat to again trap lubricant therein as supplied thereto by the lubricant circulating system, and means for retarding the closing of the valve to provide a time delay whereby lubricant may be supplied from the reservoir before the lubricating circulating system is put in operation.

EDGAR D. VANCIL. FREDERICK S. I-IAAS. 

